Looking Back at All the Actors From the ‘Addams Family’ Franchise

The creepiest, kookiest family you'll ever meet! Since 1964, the Addams family has been gracing our screens. But over the years, there have been several actors who have played some of our favorite characters! Here's a look back.

Gomez Addams: John Astin

The original sitcom dates back to 1964, and it was unlike anything the TV world had seen before! The patriarch of the family, Gomez Addams, played by John Astin, may be the most memorable Addams family member to date.

Although the show ran for 2 years, Astin later reprised his coveted role of the head of the macabre family in the 1977 made-for-television film Halloween with the New Addams Family. He later appeared in The New Addams Family in 1998, which ran for just a year.

Raul Juliá

Next up was Rual Juliá, who famously played Gomez in the 1991 film version of The Addams Family and two years later in the 1993 sequel, Addams Family Values. Juliá admits he was initially interested in the role because he found the character's "depressions are wonderful."

In 1993, the Puerto Rican actor reprised his role as Gomez Addams in the Addams Family Values. Unfortunately, he suffered from a few health issues that ultimately led him to a stroke. Juliá passed away at only 54 years old, just after the release of Addams Family Values.

Tim Curry

He might have risen to fame for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show back in the '70s, but we sure did love him as Gomez Addams in the 1998 direct-to-video film Addams Family Reunion. However, his time playing Mr. Addams fell short, as he didn't make it to the TV series that followed.

Curry's theatrical roles were seen all over the West End in London, from productions of Travesties to Hair and much more. He sure did have big shoes to fill after Rual Juliá, but loyal Addams family followers were pleased with his final performance!

Glenn Taranto

After replacing Tim Curry, the Days of Our Lives actor landed the role of Gomez Addams in The New Addams Family TV series. Taranto, originally from New Jersey, moved out to Los Angeles in the early '90s in hopes of pursuing acting and a few years later landed the role of Gomez.

The New Addams Family series aired in 1998 for only a year, even though the new cast and the series as a whole were well-liked by fans and critics. The sitcom introduced Grandpapa Addams, who was played by John Astin, who was the original Gomez Addams.

Luis Guzman

After a giant Addams family hiatus, Wednesday was brought to Netflix, starring Luis Guizman as the latest Gomez Addams. The hit supernatural comedy horror show has been a major hit amongst audiences, and Luis Guzman has been tasked with the most recent role of Gomez Addams.

The long-time actor has appeared in some of the most popular films and series to date, from Magnolia to Traffic, Narcos, and now Wednesday. In the latest rendition of the dark sitcom, the show examines his time at Nevermore Academy with Lucius Hoyos playing the teenage Gomez in a series of flashbacks.

Morticia Addams: Carolyn Jones

Now for the matriarch of the family, Morticia Addams. Known for subtle beauty, subtle fierceness, and quick wit, Morticia was often described as the witch of the family. She is extremely pale, with long black straight hair, and was often seen doing "witchy" things.

After receiving critical recognition for her work in The Bachelor Party, Carolyn Jones was perceived as one of the most promising new actresses of the late '50s. So, it only made sense she was the first ever to play Mrs. Addams in the original black-and-white television series! She passed away at only 53 years old.

Angelica Huston

Throughout her acting career, Huston has always been known for playing eccentric and unconventional characters, so she clearly was the perfect match to Raul Juliá's Gomez. In The Addams Family movie in 1991, she dominated the role, as she and Gomez try to solve if Uncle Fester is who he says he is! She also gave birth to Pubert!

The film was such a massive success, scoring over $191 million worldwide at the box offices, that a sequel, also starring Huston, Addams Family Values, was produced in 1993. The great Angelica Huston received Golden Globe nominations for her role as Morticia in both films.

Daryl Hannah

Hannah made her debut in the industry back in 1978 in the hit supernatural horror film, The Fury. A few years later, she landed one of her most iconic roles as Pris in Blade Runner and in 2003 as Elle Driver in Quentin Tarantino's action film Kill Bill.

It was in 1998 that Hannah scooped up the role from Angelica Huston to play the witchy character of Morticia Addams in the direct-to-video film Addams Family Reunion. The 1998 comedy horror film followed the Addams family, who mistakenly arrived at the wrong family reunion, and well, things began to spiral…

Ellie Harvie 

Daryl Hannah no longer portrayed the famous role of Morticia Addams, and in stepped Ellie Harvie. The Canadian actress famously portrayed Morticia in The New Addams Family sitcom alongside Glenn Taranto in 1998 for a year. But where else have we seen Harvie?

Following her role as Morticia, Harvie played Dr. Londsey Novak in Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. She also had a few cameos on The X-FIles, The 6th Day, Cupid, and more. But one of her most memorable moments? She took home a gold medal in CBC's 1998 Improv Olympics for Best Comedy Performance in a series or Special.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

This iconic actress needs no introduction. Catherine Zeta-Jones is one of the most decorated actresses of the past two decades, and well, we can understand why. The Chicago actress may have a smaller part in Netflix's Wednesday as Morticia, but per Dave Nemetz, from TVLine, she was "exquisitely well-cast" for the role.

In the series, she sends her daughter to Nevermore Academy in order to hopefully give Wednesday a similar experience that she and her husband had as teens. The show also digs into her relationship with Gomez and analyzes his desire to always capture her attention.

Wednesday Addams: Lisa Loring

The black-and-white sitcom from the '60s was initially based on the Addams cartoon characters from The New Yorker in the 30s. ABC brought these characters to life in 1964, giving audiences insight into this dark, quirky, yet somehow relatable family. And one of the most loved family members? Wednesday.

Originally played by Lisa Loring, Wednesday is most often described as an extremely intelligent young girl who has a particular affinity towards death and partakes in rather odd science experiments. Loring was only six years old when she portrayed the young Wednesday and never acted in future revivals of the show or movie adaptations.

Christina Ricci

Ricci is known for playing characters with a dark twist, so it's no wonder her breakout role was Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family in 1991. Audiences loved her deadpan humor, especially with her classic line, "I'm a homicidal maniac; they look just like everyone else."

The actress went on to play the beloved role again in Addams Family Values, where she was again praised for her portrayal of the morbid yet lovable Wednesday. Now more than 30 years later, she appeared on Netflix's Wednesday as Marilyn Thornhill, but she will always be Wednesday at heart. "I loved being Wednesday," Ricci reflected.

Nicole Fugere

After Ricci gave up her role as Wednesday, Nicole Fugere stepped in to replace her in the direct-to-video movie Addams Family Reunion in 1998. The new face behind Wednesday Addams continued to portray the same role in the one-season sitcom, The New Addams Family.

However, people were disappointed to see their favorite twin-braided daughter no longer played by Ricci. Critics and fans deemed Ricci responsible for turning Wednesday into a true star after turning the typical child star into a darker, more goth-like character who was lovable and relatable.

Melissa Hunter

So this one is a little blurry but definitely worth mentioning considering its unbelievable success. People began idolizing Wednesday, and therefore she became the titular character of much to follow, starting with the Adult Wednesday Addams series starring Melissa Hunter.

Hunter tapped into Wednesday Addams back in 2013. Although it wasn't officially a part of the franchise, she scored millions of views on YouTube for her portrayal as a grown-up Wednesday who moves to LA. Although, it did get pulled due to copyright issues. "I was told it was impossible. I'm still sad the gatekeepers never gave me a shot," she reflected.

Jenna Ortega

Tim Burton's Netflix hit series, Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega, has captured Wednesday in a way we haven't seen before. The show takes us back to Nevermore Academy, where the eerie and cold Wednesday Addams explores her mother's psychic abilities, which evidently help her towards solving a local murder mystery.

Both Ortega and the series instantly received critical praise, leading to 2 Golden Globe nominations. As for the second season? Ortega shared she "would love to see the series get a little bit darker" and even "embrace the horror aspect a little bit more." We'll take it!

Pugsley Addams: Ken Weatherwax

The cartoonist behind the macabre characters, Charles Addams, first describes Puglsey as "An energetic monster of a boy… blond, red hair, popped blue eyes and a dedicated troublemaker," and that sure is what we got. Played by Ken Weathwerax in the original 1964, Weathwerwax truly defined the character for years to come.

Most often seen wearing a striped t-shirt and shorts, getting into dark deplorable situations with his sister, and often eating a couple of pieces of cake at all birthday parties, Pugsley was a "genius in his own way." Weathwerwax later reprised the role of Pugsley in the 1977 reunion film Halloween with the New Addams Family.

Jimmy Workman

So who was the next lucky child actor to score the coveted role of the dark and somewhat twisted Pugsley Addams? Jimmy Workman landed the role of Pugsley in The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993) movies alongside Christina Ricci in the early '90s.

The actor actually landed the role after accompanying his sister Shanelle Workman to the auditions for the feature film, The Addams Family. Shanelle was auditioning to play Wednesday when the director and producer spotted Jimmy and asked him to read for Pugsley, and well, the rest was history.

Jerry Messing

Five years later, Addams Family Reunion was released with Jerry Messing as young Pugsley. The film features the Addams clan at a family reunion planned by Gomez after he realizes that his grandparents have "Waltzheimer's disease." Gomez hopes that someone in their large and creative family will have a plan to cure them.

This was Messing's breakout role in the biz, but his acting career was cut quite short, as he had yet to appear in any roles since 2003. However, he became an international meme after a picture of himself on Reddit wearing a fedora and smiling at the camera went completely viral. And just like that, he became the "Fedora Guy."

Brody Smith

So, who was the next actor to be handed down the classic black and white striped t-shirt? Brody Smith was given the coveted role of Pugsley Addams on The New Addams Family sitcom. Later on in his career, Smith was spotted in The Twilight Zone, Rat Race, A Guy Thing, and more.

The New Addams Family sitcom followed the original supernatural clan, as well as Grandmama, Grandpapa Addams, Uncle Fester, and their butler, Lurch. In this sitcom rendition, a few episodes were written as remakes of the original 1964 TV series, while others were original.

Isaac Ordonez

Fast forward over 20 years, and now we're watching Wednesday on Netflix. The young Isaac Ordonez was cast as Pugsley for the coveted role, but according to him, he wasn't nervous "at all" to play such an iconic figure. "I just went in blind," Ordonez told J-14.

"I just went with it and created him," the 12-year-old A Wrinkle in Time actor shared. Ordonez has a minor yet pivotal part in the series, acting alongside Ortega. The young actor told the magazine that Ortega "influenced" his character "a little bit" and that she is a "great person to work with."

Uncle Fester: Jackie Coogan

In the original sitcom, Uncle Fester is first introduced as Morticia's uncle. Still, eventually, he is described as Gomez's brother, who he admits to "despising" in some situations over his relationship with Morticia. Regardless, he is a critical part of the macabre family and was first played by Jackie Coogan in 1964.

Uncle Fester trudges around with a rather disturbing smile, matching sunken eyes, and a dark attitude from the first time we meet him. He's always seen in a fur coat and has this odd ability to create electricity in the weirdest ways. However, Coogan did not return for any future Uncle Fester roles.

Christopher Lloyd

Following Coogan's exit, Back to the Future star Christopher Lloyd was cast to play the strange and twisted character of Uncle Fester. Lloyd played the beloved character in both feature films in the '90s when he was introduced as Gomez's long-lost brother instead of Morticia's uncle.

In The Addams Family film, we see Uncle Fester lose his memory and, as a result, forget his entire family. However, his memory is eventually restored after he's struck by lightning, which also allows him to later conduct electricity in the future.

Patrick Thomas

Next up on the list of Uncle Festers is Patrick Thomas. The American actor played the amusing family member in Addams Family Reunion. Thomas had more minor roles throughout his career in television and film, with a few voiceover roles. However, he's taken a step back from the big screen, as we haven't seen him in anything since '07.

Thomas rocked the character's bald look in Addams Family Reunion alongside Daryl Hannah, Tim Curry, Nicole Fugere, and Jerry Messing. Unfortunately, the film was not well received by critics who commented on the movie's "awful" dialogue and "unremarkable" direction with poor CGI.

Michael Roberds

The fourth Uncle Fester was played by the late Michael Roberds. The Canadian actor began his acting career in the early '90s and appeared in over 80 movies and shows throughout his lengthy career. His stand-out role, however, was the 65 episodes of The New Addams Family.

The 1998 live-action series continues to spotlight Fester as Gomez's biological brother, who can somehow store electricity inside his body. Roberds still carries around the same demeanor as all the previous Festers - including the signature bald head, but is made to look rather stony in comparison to his original pale complexion.

Fred Armisen

Fred Armisen may only be in one episode of Wednesday, but he sure does rock every minute of it. The Saturday Night Live alum is undoubtedly one of the best in the biz, and we honestly can't unsee him as the pale, bald, electricity-loving uncle to Wednesday Addams.

In the 2022 series, Armisen shows up to help his niece with the town mystery. However, in the episode, we find out that Uncle Fester actually never attended Nevermore but would sneak in to see Gomez instead. Audiences also saw his projecting lighting from his hands due to his electricity interest and supernatural power.

Grandmama Addams: Blossom Rock

Grandmama Addams first appeared in The New Yorker cartoon strips as Morticia's mother, where she was referred to as Grandma Frump. Charles Addams described her character as "a disrespectful old hag" and "foolishly good-natured," who is "easily led."

Once the cartoon strips were adapted for the small screen, Blossom Rock was cast as the witch-like character who often is seen playing around with spells and potions. However, she suffered from a stroke a few years later, preventing her from joining the Halloween with the New Addams Family reunion.

Judith Malina

The second Grandmama Addams to grace the screen was played by Judith Malina. The German-born American actress only played the iconic character in one of the feature films of the '90s, The Addams Family, but who can ever forget that frizzy hair and distinct voice!

In The Addams Family film, Grandmama Adams guides the family through a seance in order to make contact with Fester's spirit after thinking that he had disappeared and died. It was in the movie that Morticia and Fester got rid of any confusion that Grandmama could be Gomez and Fester's mother.

Carol Kane

It was in the 1993 feature film Addams Family Values that Carol Kane replaced Judith Malina to play the iconic Granny Frump. Kane rose to fame in the '70s and '80s with her iconic roles in Annie Hall, Dog Day Afternoon, The Princess Bride, and Scrooged.

Kane absolutely dominated her role as the fortune-telling, knife-throwing Granny Frump. It was during the second film that she delivered some harsh news to Morticia and Gomez. Frump tells the couple that their son, Pubert, has actually transformed into an ordinary boy.

Alice Ghostley

Kane plays the iconic role for only one film before Alice Ghostley steps in to play the character years later. The Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ghostley was best known for her roles in Designing Women, Bewitched, Nicholas, The Julie Andrews Hour, and more.

Ghostley was introduced in the Addams crew for the Addams Family Reunion as Grandmama Addams in the direct-to-video movie. Grandmama Addams joins the family on their family reunion at the luxury resort, where things get twisted as the entire extended Addams family gets together.

Betty Phillips

The cast was completely new for the 1998 sitcom, The New Addams Family, starring Glenn Taranto and Ellie Harvie. Following Ghostley's interpretation of Grandmama, Betty Phillips stepped in to play the witchy role of Gomez's mother and, for the first time, Fester's mother.

Philips' character was often at the point of chaos in the sitcom from all her potions and spells, which definitely added a layer of flare to the dark comedy! However, her character has been retired since then, as Grandmama Addams has yet to appear in Netflix's Wednesday.